Wike rejects proposal to build houses for beggars, Almajiri in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly opposed a proposal to build housing camps for displaced persons and beggars roaming the streets of Abuja, describing such a move as inappropriate for the nation’s capital.

Wike made his stance known during the defence of the 2025 FCT Appropriation Bill at the National Assembly. Accompanied by the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, and other top officials of the FCT Administration, Wike fielded questions from lawmakers during a session with the House of Representatives Committee before heading into a closed-door meeting.

During the deliberation, Senator Ali Ndume raised concerns over the rising number of displaced individuals and beggars in Abuja. He proposed that the FCT Administration adopt a strategy reminiscent of what was implemented in Kano in the 1970s—establishing camps to house, feed, and train displaced persons to get them off the streets.

But Wike quickly shut down the idea.

“This is the Federal Capital Territory. The way things are done in Kano, Rivers, Sokoto, or Ondo will not be the same as what happens in the FCT,” he asserted. “These people you are talking about are not indigenes. In a city like this, which is the FCT, where all the international bodies reside, it will be difficult for us to follow that kind of pattern.”

He further emphasized the unique security implications of Abuja, noting, “This is where the President resides, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Defence Headquarters are located. We don’t have the autonomy to take over the entire security architecture of the FCT.”

Wike also issued a stern warning to beggars and displaced individuals occupying public spaces in the capital. He reminded the public of an ultimatum he previously gave on October 27, 2024, for all such persons to vacate the roadsides, describing their growing numbers as a threat to urban safety and order.

While flagging off the construction of an access road to the newly completed Judges’ Quarters in Katampe, Wike decried the visible increase in roadside loitering, calling the trend “alarming” and promising decisive action.

As the FCT Administration moves forward with its urban development plans, Wike’s position signals a no-nonsense approach to keeping the city orderly and in line with its status as the administrative and diplomatic hub of Nigeria.